Shoving off.

By divine design the Raiders depart for India destined for greatness.
Send your prayers to Shiva and beg that one of her many arms grants us a mighty shove in our hour of need.
With respect, we roll like pros.
See you all at the first checkpoint.

Raiders Ride With Pride

Faithful fans of the Raiders, I send out our sincerest congratulations to you, our generous supporters. We are very proud to announce that we have achieved our minimum donation goal for the purchase our our powerful racing machine. Each and every one of our happy little givers deserves a mighty slap on the back and a rowdy “Hi! Ho! Well done chap!” If not for you, we would be attempting to complete this race via unicycle or other ridiculous means and our egos demand that it not be so.
We are of course still taking donations as additional funds raised will go to the needy families of Northern India and any general maintenance our mighty steed may need pre-race. Thanks again and fresh holiday greetings to all from the Rajasthan Raiders.

Rajasthan Raiders Merchandise now on sale!

The Rajasthan Raiders are proud to announce the opening of their online store with exclusive Raiders/tuk-tuk merchandise, offering everything from t-shirts and jackets to the sexiest thong panties this side of the Ganges. All merchandise is produced using a high-quality, durable, heat foil so you can continue pimping the Raiders far into the future. All sale proceeds will be immediately converted to petrol gold for our gas guzzling race machine. All store items are fully customizable and can be purchased in a variety of sizes, styles and colors. Buy early, buy often and support the Raiders!
You can link to our store right here:
Rajasthan Raiders Official Merchandise

For the betterment of mankind

The first annual Rickshaw Run is more than just Cannonball Run set in India. When the race is through the rickshaws and any additional funds raised will be donated to a needy family in one of India’s poorest provinces, Sikkim. The idea behind the charity side of the rickshaw run is pretty simple. Many auto-rickshaw taxi drivers are forced to live in a state of poverty because they don't have the money to buy their rickshaw. They borrow the money or rent the rickshaw often at extortionate rates. Which means that while they can earn a living from the taxi fares, a large amount of it, often more than half, goes to pay off the debt or pay the rent of the vehicle. Giving a rickshaw to a poor family is a huge life changing gift that enables them to earn a living without the burden of an impossible debt. When we get to the finish line we will hand over the rickshaws to an NGO working in Siligury, monitored by Mercy Corps, who will distribute them to the most needy cases. They will provide us with full reports on how the distribution is going and ensure everything is done in a transparent and proper fashion.
Help us rally for the cause by visiting our fund raising page here:
www.firstgiving.com/rajasthanraiders

When? How? For God’s sake why!?

WHEN: The race will start on December 28th 2006 in the city of Cochin near the southern tip of the Indian subcontinent.
HOW: With about 3000 bucks, a heap of luck, a blessing from all ten thousand Hindi gods and this little baby:
The Indian Auto Rickshaw
Engine: 2 stroke, single cylinder, forced air cooled
Engine Size: 145.45cc
Power: 7 HP at 5000 rpm
Torque: 12.17 Nm at 3500 rpm
Transmission: 4 forward, 1 reverse
Brakes: Hydraulic expanding shoe
Fuel Capacity: 2.2 gallon + (.5 gallon reserve)
Top speed: 35 mph (37mph down hill)
Weight: 610 lbs

These hunks of shit are capable of traveling several miles an hour and they even have reverse! Uncomfortable, loud, smelly and in every imaginable way crap, they are the perfect vehicle in which to tackle a 2000 mile rally. Think of them as a motorized mule.

WHY: Why? Why!? WHY!?
For the needy and for our souls.

For more details on the Rickshaw Run and a precise definition of a rickshaw visit the official website:
www.rickshawrun.com

Meet The Rajasthan Raiders

With the taste of blood in their mouth and compassion in their hearts these two dust eaters are on a hell bent mission to break out the soul polish for this New Year and make sure that a lucky Indian family gets the baddest rickshaw in Maharashtra.

Driver 1: N. McClain
Driver 2: J. Didion

“The Sandpeople are easily startled but they will soon be back and in greater numbers.”
-Ben Kenobi